Lamine Yamal Surpasses Lionel Messi, Becomes 8th Youngest Player To Score In FIFA World Cup

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 04:40 IST

Messi was 18 years and 357 days old when he scored his first FIFA World Cup goal for Argentina in 2006. In comparison, Yamal was 18 years and 343 days old on Sunday.

Lamine Yamal started his first FIFA World Cup match for Spain on Sunday (June 21) and needed just 10 minutes to score his maiden goal in football’s biggest tournament. The goal by Barcelona’s No. 10 against Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium helped him overtake Lionel Messi and become the eighth-youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.

Messi was 18 years and 357 days old when he scored his first FIFA World Cup goal for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, 2006. In comparison, Yamal was 18 years and 343 days old on Sunday.

Yamal is the second-youngest goalscorer for Spain in FIFA World Cup history. His Barcelona teammate Gavi was 18 years and 110 days old when he scored for La Roja against Costa Rica at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The overall record for the youngest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history belongs to Pelé. The Brazilian legend was 17 years and 239 days old when he scored his first World Cup goal against Wales at Ullevi in Gothenburg on June 19, 1958.

Yamal’s goal against Saudi Arabia in Spain’s second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup also helped him equal a 68-year-old record held by Pelé.

The Barcelona star is only the second player aged 18 or younger to score the opening goal in a FIFA World Cup match. Pelé was the first player aged 18 or younger to achieve the feat.

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More

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